The Top 5 NBA Title Contenders in a 66-Game Season

Finally.

The NBA recently announced that the players and owners have agreed on a tentative deal that would usher in the start of a 66-game regular season on Christmas Day.

Basketball fans can now shift their thoughts back to matters concerning the hardwood, and one of the first that popped into my head is this: What teams will benefit the most in a shortened season?

Ultimately, things like age, talent, chemistry and pre-existing issues will determine the teams who reach the 2011-12 NBA Finals, and I have compiled a list of the top five teams best suited to excel in that atmosphere.

The San Antonio Spurs won the last NBA Championship that was played under the shadow of a work stoppage, and the Spurs were able to prevail at the end of a 50-game regular season with a unique blend of youth, talent and a well-defined chemistry.

There are several teams who could be this year's Spurs, and there may be a few I missed. Please feel free to offer your own suggestions on teams who could bottle the needed lightening over the course of 66 games and the playoffs. Please enjoy!

5. Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics may have one of the NBA's oldest rosters, but in a 66-game regular season, their biggest issue may be avoiding injury.

In a shortened season, the Celtics' experience, coaching, defense and chemistry trumps any worries about age, and with Kevin Garnett still manning the post and Rajon Rondo creating havoc on the perimeter, they shouldn't lack for energy.

Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are still two of the best players in the game at their respective positions, and Jeff Green gives the Celtics a versatile player coming off the bench.

I'm not sure if the Celtics are good enough to reach the 2012 NBA Finals, but that may depend on what happens in the reduced free-agency signing market.

If the Celtics are able to acquire a dependable post player, they could threaten Miami or Chicago in the East. Even if they don't, Boston should still be in the thick of the race.

4. Chicago Bulls

It seemed like the Chicago Bulls spent most of the 2010-11 regular season being taken for granted, and even when they finished with the league's best overall record, there were few who thought they could actually win a championship.

But MVP Derrick Rose and his Bulls are as legit as they come.

While they fell short of reaching the Finals, the team's ability to rebound with Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer, as well as their dedication to strong team defense, is certainly a necessary ingredient in a short season championship recipe.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau had his team playing with focus, passion and aggression last year, and with a true superstar in Rose, the Bulls will be a tough out in the playoffs for anyone they play.

Chicago does have some questions to answer at shooting guard, but their roster in its current form could still possibly reach the Finals in 2012.

3. Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers may have more questions to answer than any other team on this list, but they also arguably have the most experienced and talented roster of players as well.

The transition to Mike Brown's coaching philosophy and point guard issues are reasons for concern, but the Lakers still have Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom.

And Bryant should be much healthier than he was when the team's season ended in last year's playoffs.

Younger players like Devin Ebanks, Derrick Caracter and Darius Morris will have to prove they deserve a roster spot, and if they can provide any type of boost from the bench, the Lakers could be very dangerous.

It's not like Los Angeles is starting from scratch. The Lakers are an experienced, veteran team, and their talented nucleus is still one of the very best in the NBA.

2. Miami Heat

When it comes to talent, no other team on this list can match the trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, and the fact that the Miami Heat's loss to Dallas in the 2011 NBA Finals is used as a criticism should be scary for opponents this season.

The Heat actually exceeded any reasonable expectations by reaching the 2011 NBA Finals, and with a year under their belts, James and his crew have to be strong title favorites heading into the 2011-12 season.

Miami is capable of playing suffocating stretches of defense, and no other team in the league is capable of turning defense into offense like Wade and James on the fast break.

In my opinion, Miami is really the team to beat in a short season, but only if James can finally play like he believes that in the postseason.

1. Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks fans feel their team has not been getting enough respect as the newly crowned 2012 NBA champions, and even star guard DeShawn Stevenson recently said as much.

After watching the Lakers getting swept 4-0 in the 2011 NBA postseason, I will not make the same mistake.

Although I do not think Dallas is the most talented team on this list, they are the defending champions until otherwise proved.

And I wouldn't count them out in 2012, because the Mavericks still have Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, and Jason Terry. They are still one of the better offensive teams in the NBA, and what better way to define chemistry than by winning a championship?

I'm not sure if the Mavericks will be able to repeat their feat from last season, but I believe the they have a big enough chip on their shoulders to use it as motivation to at least reach the Finals again.